School board names two new principals

Maggie Gordon

Updated 8:58 pm, Wednesday, April 24, 2013

STAMFORD -- The Stamford Board of Education approved the promotions of two current assistant principals to principal, while also rubber-stamping several other internal promotions during the board's regular meeting Tuesday evening.

Saba-Price has been assistant principal at Stillmeadow since 2004, and previously held that position at Davenport Ridge Elementary School. Previously, she served as an elementary and middle school teacher in the district.

"She was my children's teacher," said board member Lorraine Olson, who said she was "thrilled to promote from within" on Tuesday.

"I've known Lisa for a very long time, and her family. They're all so involved in the community, and it's really nice to see somebody who's gone through the system become a principal here," said board member Jerry Pia, who asked Saba-Price's parents, who were sitting in the audience, to stand for recognition.

Martin, who has teaching experience in Connecticut, New York and Maryland, has been with the district for a shorter period of time, but members of the board said they were impressed with his enthusiasm and understanding of Rippowam Middle School.

"Rippowam is a school right now that has a lot of needs, and he really demonstrated that he knew what the Rippowam community needs and that he has the experience to bring those needs and bring healing to the school," said Olson.

The middle school has been in transition all year after the resignation of Principal George Giberti. Currently, retired Principal Jan Rossman is serving as acting principal at the school, a role she took over in April.

In addition to having a sense of how to repair a school in need of special attention, board members touted Martin's ability to bring enthusiasm and vitality.

"I met him at open house at

Westhill," said board member Gary Klein, who has a daughter at the high school. "He has an incredible positive energy even in an informal scenario -- an amazing positive energy."

The down side, Klein said, is that his strengths will be missed at Westhill.

The district will soon post job openings for both assistant principal positions. There will also be other vacancies as a result of three other internal promotions announced Tuesday.

Director of Math and Science Carrie Chiappetta was promoted to director of school improvement and professional development, eliciting tears of joy from one board member.

"She was one of my daughter's teachers when she started here, and it makes me cry. I've seen her all the way through," said Olson. "Her resume could knock your socks off with everything she's done, and I'm really, really proud of this appointment. She's wonderful."

The board also had a slew of praises for Director of Special Education Services Wayne Holland, who was named director of support services and special programs. True to his character, Holland, who is almost always in the audience for board meetings, often as the sole spectator, had to be urged to stand up to be acknowledged after the appointment.

"He's the champion of children with special needs. I have never called him at any time of day or night, or a weekend that he hasn't picked up the phone or gotten right back to me. He's always been there," said Pia. "Wayne, I'm just so happy you got this."

In the final appointment of the evening, Director of Literacy and Social Studies Mary Jennings was named director of early childhood development and intervention, a new position that board President Geoff Alswanger said he hopes will "serve as a model for the state."